SOULMATES: XENA EPISODE REVIEWS: #314 - FORGIVEN: WHAT'S GOOD FOR THE GOOSE by IseQween

FORGIVEN: "What's Good for the Goose"

I liked FORGIVEN, especially its placement after OAAA. In many respects, it was like, "what's good for the goose is good for the gander." For example, last week, G made X live up to her greater good philosophy. This week, X returned the favor by encouraging G to have faith when it was also tested in a very personal way. Together, they taught Tara -- and reinforced for themselves -- some important lessons about the appearance of good and evil. X had the wisdom to know that she could not "make" T respect G, though X felt it was critical for T to do so. As it happened, T saw not only that a fighter who had been "bad" could be good, but that a good person could be a fighter and make mistakes as well. T originally thought she could "replace Blondie" by physically beating G and being as violent as X. But in the end, she learned what X had been carefully clear about all along -- that it was G's faith in others, her instinct to be selfless, that made her irreplaceable and led X to return that faith through T.
	Sorry, but I thought the bar-room brawl was hilarious. It looked too much like one of those wrestle -mania events, with the Tyson-Holyfield fight thrown in for good measure. Certainly not your typical "cat fight." Sure, Gabs could've knocked T silly, but was determined to be the civilized, nonviolent bard ("I have no intention of fighting"), above being reduced to the level of some churlish imp. In fact, it was G's feeling of superiority -- her determination to prove that not everyone could be baited or bullied -- that inhibited her from initially responding in kind. Only when she accepted T where T was could G mete out the "tough" and soft love required.
Some have said that Xena should have intervened earlier or taken up for Gabs. But I agree with others who saw this as X's confidence in G. X knew T was no match for G's physical prowess or good nature, that G would come around to seeing that this was her bailiwick, just as she'd helped X see that fighting for the greater good was hers. I like the way, as on OAAA, they switched places, so to speak. Once again we see two contrasting, complementary souls now able to maintain balance by reflecting the other's best characteristics when necessary.
	I laughed a lot during this episode -- at G's frequent expressions of disgust and disbelief, at her suggesting that X chakram a piece off T's ear, at X having to hold her back from throttling the "stalking" little pest that maybe reminded G a little too much of her early self. Likewise, I chuckled at X's frequent sighs of annoyance at the brazen little street fighter she admitted reminded her of young Xena. I couldn't help but compare her oft- tested patience to Lao Ma's desperately trying to save the delinquent Xena. Sure, while still crippled, Xena managed to restrain herself from adding Ming Tsu's head to the dinner platter. But once restored, Xena not only kicked the crap out of Borias despite Lao Ma's orders; she also tried to kill her beloved teacher's son right in front of her. Talk about someone who "didn't listen," "Wonder Girl" couldn't match X in that area either.
As for Xena's not taking part in the ritual to "be purified for past misdeeds" in order to "do good," I think she pretty much said it all in the beginning. "No urn can do that [give a new start]. That comes from within." "Not all of us are strong enough to face the jaws of our conscience alone," the priest responds. But we know that Xena is that strong, and that she also has Gabby to help. To me, X best sums up her basic philosophy when she tells T, "You are what you do. You can recreate yourself every second of your life." In other words, what she does defines who or what she is. I agree with those who feel Xena seeks to "balance" (not forget, erase, absolve or redeem) her evil deeds with good ones. While she needed and accepted the forgiveness of her mother, Solan and Gabrielle, that means little to her if she cannot act in such a way as to justify their belief in her -- or her faith in herself -- now, today, in the moment. Even as she walks into the sun, she does so shouldering the self-responsibility to make even the last second of her life count for good.

Other things I liked:

*The subtle glances between X&G that said "trust me," "I trust you," "thanks," and "you're welcome."

*Flashbacks: X on horseback, with Argo jumping "the log." The urn a la baby toss. The Gabby staff flip.

*G and T on the same "wave-length" during the "birth of Athena" charade, with X in "I still don't get it" parental ignorance.

*Tara. Especially the way she was torn between her wistful "wannabe" future and the realities of her past and present. Unlike many viewers, I came to care about what happened to her and believe X&G's efforts made a difference.

After reading some spoilers on Forgiven, I was afraid I'd want to toss this baby out with the bath water. Now that I've seen it for myself, I'm much more forgiving.

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I liked FORGIVEN, especially its placement after OAAA. In many respects, it was like, "what's good for the goose is good for the gander." For example, last week, G made X live up to her greater good philosophy. This week, X returned the favor by encouraging G to have faith when it was also tested in a very personal way. Together, they taught Tara -- and reinforced for themselves -- some important lessons about the appearance of good and evil. X had the wisdom to know that she could not "make" T respect G, though X felt it was critical for T to do so. As it happened, T saw not only that a fighter who had been "bad" could be good, but that a good person could be a fighter and make mistakes as well. T originally thought she could "replace Blondie" by physically beating G and being as violent as X. But in the end, she learned what X had been carefully clear about all along -- that it was G's faith in others, her instinct to be selfless, that made her irreplaceable and led X to return that faith through T.
	Sorry, but I thought the bar-room brawl was hilarious. It looked too much like one of those wrestle -mania events, with the Tyson-Holyfield fight thrown in for good measure. Certainly not your typical "cat fight." Sure, Gabs could've knocked T silly, but was determined to be the civilized, nonviolent bard ("I have no intention of fighting"), above being reduced to the level of some churlish imp. In fact, it was G's feeling of superiority -- her determination to prove that not everyone could be baited or bullied -- that inhibited her from initially responding in kind. Only when she accepted T where T was could G mete out the "tough" and soft love required.
Some have said that Xena should have intervened earlier or taken up for Gabs. But I agree with others who saw this as X's confidence in G. X knew T was no match for G's physical prowess or good nature, that G would come around to seeing that this was her bailiwick, just as she'd helped X see that fighting for the greater good was hers. I like the way, as on OAAA, they switched places, so to speak. Once again we see two contrasting, complementary souls now able to maintain balance by reflecting the other's best characteristics when necessary.
	I laughed a lot during this episode -- at G's frequent expressions of disgust and disbelief, at her suggesting that X chakram a piece off T's ear, at X having to hold her back from throttling the "stalking" little pest that maybe reminded G a little too much of her early self. Likewise, I chuckled at X's frequent sighs of annoyance at the brazen little street fighter she admitted reminded her of young Xena. I couldn't help but compare her oft- tested patience to Lao Ma's desperately trying to save the delinquent Xena. Sure, while still crippled, Xena managed to restrain herself from adding Ming Tsu's head to the dinner platter. But once restored, Xena not only kicked the crap out of Borias despite Lao Ma's orders; she also tried to kill her beloved teacher's son right in front of her. Talk about someone who "didn't listen," "Wonder Girl" couldn't match X in that area either.
As for Xena's not taking part in the ritual to "be purified for past misdeeds" in order to "do good," I think she pretty much said it all in the beginning. "No urn can do that [give a new start]. That comes from within." "Not all of us are strong enough to face the jaws of our conscience alone," the priest responds. But we know that Xena is that strong, and that she also has Gabby to help. To me, X best sums up her basic philosophy when she tells T, "You are what you do. You can recreate yourself every second of your life." In other words, what she does defines who or what she is. I agree with those who feel Xena seeks to "balance" (not forget, erase, absolve or redeem) her evil deeds with good ones. While she needed and accepted the forgiveness of her mother, Solan and Gabrielle, that means little to her if she cannot act in such a way as to justify their belief in her -- or her faith in herself -- now, today, in the moment. Even as she walks into the sun, she does so shouldering the self-responsibility to make even the last second of her life count for good.